*To BUSHROD WASHINGTON Mount Vernon, January 19, 1798. My dear Bushrod: Your letter of the 8th instant came to hand opportunely, as Mr. Augustus Woodward (in whose favour the Sheriff of Kanhawa had drawn for the taxes of my lands in that County) was here on his return from Philadelphia, and received the full amount of his draught. I am perfectly at a loss to know what is meant by the Auditors A/c as coming from "The Sheriff of Greenbrier who says he has returned a tract of land the property of Genl. George Washington Esqr, amounting to 15940 acres for non-payment of the Revenue tax due thereon, for the year 1789. The tax is £35:17:3." I neither do, or ever did, hold such a tract, and must request the favour of you to investigate this matter; and that you may be enabled to do it with accuracy, I enclose you a list of all the lands I hold in this State on the Western waters, with the dates of Patents; to whom granted, for what quantity, and in what counties they are supposed to lye at the time they were surveyed. By which you will perceive, first that I have no such tract in any county, and 2d. that no two or more of those, contained in the list, will make the exact quantity of 15940. The Sheriff, in his draught on me in favour of A. Woodward, does not specify the quantity of Acres I hold on the Kanhawa; but the number of tracts only, on which the taxes are due for the years 1791, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 1796: and for 2 tracts only on the River Ohio, when there are three tracts on that river; This puts it out of my power to know whether I am justly dealt by, or not; and it would seem by some calculation and figures on a piece of paper (which I return that I am charged for more land than 1798] TAXES ON OHIO LANDS 129 I ever held there.75 A small tract of 240 acres between the Representative of Genl. Andrew Lewis and myself, is there inserted also. Pray what is the state of that matter? No tax has ever been demanded of me, therefor, and it may, for ought I know to the contrary, be in jeopardy likewise. It contains the burning spring. Several matters relative to these lands want explanation, and you would oblige me by endeavouring to obtain it, and for this purpose, as it may assist I return all the Papers you sent me. By comparing them you will find that Sheriff Alderson charged taxes for the years 1791 a 1796, both inclusive, for four tracts on the Kanhawa and two on the Ohio: and that the Sheriff of Greenbrier returns 15940 for non-payment of the Revenue tax, for the year 1789. What becomes of the tax 1790 on all these lands; or was there any? Why return 15940 acres, and not the whole when all were under the same predicament? Why are two tracts on the Ohio charged, and the third not? except it should be in another Cty. The enclosed list contains those on the one, as well as the other River; and if (as I conceive ought to have been the case with the Sheriff, and I suppose is so at the Auditors Office) the number of Acres in each tract, and at what assessed had been inserted, these difficulties might have been removed without giving you the trouble I am about to do in examining the aforesaid Office; but as there is a cloud over the business; as I am as willing to comply with the Laws, as I receive justice in the execution of them. As I wish to have a full understanding of the case, of both, and shall not willingly, nor neglectedly, or knowingly put it in the power of any one to "Washington inserted an asterisk (*) here and noted in the margin: "See under Kanawha land and remarks." **The phrase after the interrogation mark is inserted in the margin by Washington. deprive me of my property, through any failure on my part, I must beg the favour of you to obtain from the Auditor at your and his leisure, provided I put nothing to hazard by the delay, a complete statement of the taxes on all the land mentioned in the list I enclose; the small tract of 587 Acres I had almost forgot, though extremely valuable for its size. With sincere and Affectionate regard, etc. P. S. Since writing the aforegoing letter, wch as you will readily perceive is done in much haste I find I was mistaken in saying none of the tracts united would make 15940 Acres, those of 10990, 2950 and 2000 do this. I send you $120 to pay the £35 17.3 and 7/. Tax for Lots, though I did not know that any thing was due on the latter. nor do I believe any tax has ever been paid on the 587 acre tract, or others before. *LANDS BELONGING TO GEORGE WASHINGTON ON THE WESTERN WATERS IN THE STATE OF VIRGINIA Mount Vernon, January 1798. Great Kanhawa. Fincastle County 10990 Acrs. Near the mouth thereof. Granted by Letters Patent to George Washington the 15th. day of December 1772: and confirmed after the Revolution, by other letters Patent the 6th. of July 1784, in consequence of a friendly Petition for the same, by Burwell Bassett Esqr. for the non-performance of the Act requiring certain improvements 1798] OHIO LANDS 131 7276 acs. Higher up the Kanhawa. Granted to George Washington and George Muse as above, on the Ist. day of Decr. 1773; and said to lye in the County of Botetourt. Opposite the mouth of Cole River, and still higher up the Kanhawa, and sd. to be in Greenbrier County. Granted the 12th. day of April 1784 to G: Washington 2950 acs. 2000 Acs. On the Fork between Ohio River and Kanhawa in the above county of Greenbrier; granted to Geo: Washington 12th. Aprl. 1784 Total 23,216 Besides the above mentioned tracts, there is a small tract of (I believe) 240 acres Granted (the date of the Patent I know not) to Genl. Andrew Lewis and myself, containing the burning Spring, on or near the Kanhawa River in Greenbrier County. On the Ohio River. Botetourt County 2314 Acres The first large bottom below the little Kanhawa. Granted by letters Patent to George Washington the 15th. Decr. 1772. And regranted after a friendly Petition of Burwell Bassett Esqr. for non-compliance with the Act of Improvement the 6th. of July 1784. 2448 Acs. Fourth large bottom of the Ohio below the mouth of the little Kanhawa, and about 16 miles below the above granted to Geo: Washington 15th. Decr. 1772, and regranted as above 6th. July 1784. ""Muse's moiety conveyed to Washington afterwards." This is a marginal note by Washington. 4298 Acrs. Fifth large bottom below the Mo. of little Kanhawa, on the Ohio, and just above the Great Bend Granted, and regranted to Geo Washington on the days and years above mentioned. Total 9157 All said to lye in the County of Bottetourt 78 Granted George Washington by Patent bearing date the 30th. Oct 1784.79 *To JAMES ROSS Mount Vernon, January 22, 1798. Dear Sir: Your favour of the 12th Instt. has been duly received; and an Order from the Treasury of the United States and the Collector of the Port of Alexandria for $1,961.30 has also been received; a receipt for which (for your satisfaction, or that of Colo. Shreve) is herein enclosed; with my acknowledgments, and thanks for your kindness in negociating this business for me. The delay, occasioned by the indisposition of Mrs. Ross, has been attended with no inconvenience to me; and on her happy recovery from it, I congratulate you, and her, sincerely. Colo. Shreve's Bond being in your possession, it is not in my power to endorse the above payment of $1961.30 thereon: but Colo. Ritchie's, which I herewith enclose for the purpose of depositing the same in the Bank of Pennsylvania, (that the Instalments may be collected agreeably to the tenor thereof) has 78 Left blank in the manuscript. 79 This description of these lands, as noted, were inclosed in the letter to Bushrod Washington, Jan. 19, 1798. |